US President Donald Trump has announced that Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit the White House toward the end of this year, signaling a renewed diplomatic push to stabilize relations between the world’s two largest economies after months of trade and political tension.
High-Level Talks Cover Trade and Global Security
Trump made the statement during an interview with NBC News, recorded on Wednesday, the same day he held a wide-ranging conversation with Xi. The leaders discussed several critical issues, including trade relations, Taiwan, Russia’s war in Ukraine, and the situation in Iran.
“He’s coming to the White House toward the end of the year,” Trump said. “These are the two most powerful countries in the world, and we have a very good relationship.”
Trump Likely to Visit China First
Ahead of Xi’s planned visit to Washington, Trump is expected to travel to China in April. The reciprocal visits are seen as an effort by both sides to re-engage diplomatically and manage differences through direct dialogue.
Trade Tensions and Economic Interdependence
Since returning to office a year ago, Trump has pursued an aggressive trade agenda, imposing sector-specific tariffs on steel, automobiles, and other goods. Although US-China trade tensions escalated sharply last spring, both countries later reached a broad truce that helped ease immediate economic pressures.
Despite US efforts to reduce reliance on Chinese manufacturing, the two economies remain deeply interconnected through trade and global supply chains.
Taiwan and Regional Concerns
During the recent talks, Xi urged Trump to exercise caution regarding US arms sales to Taiwan, the self-governed island that Beijing considers part of its territory. The Chinese leader also expressed hope that bilateral disputes, particularly over trade, could be resolved amicably.
According to China’s state broadcaster CCTV, Xi said that by addressing issues step by step and building mutual trust, the two countries could find a constructive path forward.
Trump Calls Conversation “Excellent”
Trump described his discussion with Xi as “excellent,” emphasizing the importance of maintaining stable and positive relations between Washington and Beijing. He said both leaders recognize the global significance of cooperation between their countries.
Nuclear Talks and Ongoing Differences
Separately, the United States recently proposed trilateral talks with China and Russia to set new limits on nuclear weapons. Beijing, however, has so far declined to join such negotiations, saying it is not ready to participate at this stage.
Outlook for US-China Relations
The anticipated exchange of visits between Trump and Xi is widely viewed as a crucial opportunity to reset US-China relations amid ongoing economic rivalry and complex geopolitical challenges, with global markets and international partners closely watching the outcome.
